Machon Kulmus

10/10/2025

My latest article has just been published. Exploring the origins of the hu**ed het. Drawing on my PhD findings and new research, including a special medieval Torah at the MST and one I fixed recently for NEMS and many more. Open access PDF

Abstract In Torah scrolls for liturgical use, there is a scribal tradition to write the letter ח (ḥet) with a central hump in the form, rather than the flat roof that is seen in codices and printed texts. This article explores the development of this hu**ed ḥet from both halakhic and palaeograp...

02/07/2025

My latest piece for the Cambridge Genizah Unit. https://www.facebook.com/100064538716059/posts/1137011091793504/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6vI’m

June's Fragment of the Month is definitely not a Genizah fragment. Instead, it perfectly demonstrates why the Jewish concept of Genizah emerged, and why it was felt necessary to protect sacred texts from profanation. Thanks to Marc Michaels for this 'abject' lesson in safeguarding your holy articles:

https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/taylor-schechter-genizah-research-unit/fragment-month/fotm-2025/fragment-4

15/06/2025

If you were in shul this weekend or davenning at home then you would likely have seen the two inverted nuns (that’s the letter נ) enclosing Num. 10:35-36. But did you know what they were for, originally and subsequently. Curious? Find out in Sefer Binsoa. https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/sefer-binsoa/paperback/product-23206312.html paperback or
https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/sefer-binsoa/ebook/product-19qpmen4.html for the PDF version.

Aside from their familiar use in the service at the opening and closing of the Ark, two verses from the sedra B’ha’alot’cha are unique. For, in the majority of Torah scrolls Bamidbar l0:35-36 is encased between two critical marks, each taking the form of an inverted nun, as if they are in pare...

07/03/2025

Purim is coming - read about the restoration of a special megillah held in the Tyburn convent and the parallels between the megillat Esther and their story. https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/restoring-the-tyburn-megillah/paperback/product-22816954.html paperback (also available as a PDF)

Jewish scribes don’t often encounter Roman Catholic nuns. In a truly interfaith endeavour Sofer STa"M Mordechai Pinchas (Marc Michaels) chronicles the restoration of a several hundred year old manuscript of the book of Esther belonging to the Tyburn Convent by Hyde Park.

14/02/2025

23/12/2024

Well, a high note to end the secular year on. My identification of what is likely the oldest Megillat Esther on the planet. A new Genizah Fragment of the Month.
https://www.facebook.com/100064538716059/posts/992642402897041/?app=fbl

It's still December, almost Hanukka, and Marc Michaels has produced an impressively named Fragment of the Month – could this be the earliest Esther scroll we have (not just in the Genizah)?

https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/taylor-schechter-genizah-research-unit/fragment-month/fotm-2024/fragment-10

13/09/2024

Click the link for a free download of the DOT ON THE OT - my biblical tribute to the Cat In The Hat. For the young at heart. http://bit.ly/2SFqoDs

21/07/2024

My illustrated retelling of the Megillat Siracusa. Am thinking of getting it translated into Italian and having a companion volume. Paperback
https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/the-empty-torah/paperback/product-19ewrm8r.html?q=The+empty+Torah+&page=1&pageSize=4
And PDF
https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/the-empty-torah/ebook/product-1jqmeg4m.html?q=The+empty+Torah+&page=1&pageSize=4

The leaders of the Jewish community of Syracuse have a cunning plan. But when it backfires, it could spell doom and disaster for all the Jews in the kingdom. Will the evil Marcos get his way or will Ephraim the shamash save the day? And who is the mysterious glowing stranger standing at the foot of....

09/12/2023

Thanks to Marc Michaels there's a new Fragment of the Month for December, and since it's Hannuka it's about the Megillat Antiochus -- one to really get your teeth into:

https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/taylor-schechter-genizah-research-unit/fragment-month/fotm-2023/fragment-10

21/10/2023

After having had my site taken down by my provider moving to a new system, I have finally managed to rebuild the site - 95% there. Some small nips and tucks but pretty much everything back up now. Treat yourself to a title or a free download. If you spot anything not working, please let me know.

Kulmus Publishing specialises in producing works of Jewish interest. Particularly concerning Sofrut (Scribal Arts) and Torah but also stories and art with a Jewish theme.

15/10/2023

My web provider changed my service provision without telling me and completely wiped my old Kulmus Publishing Site. Am gradually getting it back up and taking the chance to update it a bit. Have sorted Home Page and Scribal related titles today but the new programme doesn't seem to be allowing me to link from images! Anyway getting there www.kulmus.co.uk if you'd like to browse some titles.

Kulmus Publishing specialises in producing works of Jewish interest. Particularly concerning Sofrut (Scribal Arts) and Torah but also stories and art with a Jewish theme.

15/09/2023

שנה טובה ומתוקה לכולם 🍯🍎